Straining or filtering apparatus



1,581,998' F. C. FULCHER y n STRAINING OR FILTERING APPARATUS F'ledvNov. 26, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 nnll,-llilwluhfi -12-11- April 2o, 1926.

April 20, 192s. 1,581,998

F. C. FULCHER STRAINING OR FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 20 v1926.

F'. C.' FULCHER A STRAINING 0R FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26,Y 1925 `4 Sheets-Sheet .'5

April 20 1926. 1,581,998

F. C.FU1 CHER STRAINING oR FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 192: 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented `Apr."20, 1926.

FRANK CHRISTIAN FULCHEIRI,y OF LONDON, ENGLAND,

. SnRAINING on surname. APPARATUS.

applicati@ inea November ze. 1923. serial No. 677,000.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK CHRISTIAN l `ULoT1n1:, a subject of the King of Great lritain, and resident of London,-England, have invented new and usefullmprovements in or Relating to Straining or Filtering Apparatus, of which the following is a' specilfication.

This invention relates to straining or filtering apparatus for fluids and it has for its object to provideimprovements by means of which certain advantages shall be ob tained.

The straineris of the kind comprising a cylindrical straining wall having an'outlet for the fluid, a circumferential slot or -slots through which the fluid is strained and a scraper comprising a blade or blades pro- ]ecting into each slot and 1n permanent engagement therewith, thescraper and the cy? lindrical 4straining wall being relatively movable so that the blade or blades will traverse the slot'or slots;'such a strainer is described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 1.414,12() granted to the applicant herein. t I

Accordingl to the present invention, a

strainer for fluid of the kind described above is characterized by the fact that the straining wall consists of a plurality of discs or plates mounted side by side on a'carrier and each having a hole or holes' therethrough, separators disposed between ladjacent discs or plates to space them apart and form an endless peripheral slot, said separators be- .ing either integral with or separate from the discs or plates. and a scraperblade or scraper blades mounted on a carrier-and permanently engaging said slot, said discs or plates and the scraper blade or blades being relatively movable.

Thediscs or plates may be mounted Aon a shaft that extends centrally therethrough and the scraper blade or scraper blades may be mounted on a rod or rods external to the straining wall.

ln a modification of the invention, the discs or plates are mounted on rods that pass through holes in the discs or plates adjacent their peripheries, said discs or plates being separated the one from another or others by .washers on said rods.

bftraining or filtering apparatus, according to the present invention, comprises a casing having an inlet and an outlet for the Huid, the strainer being mounted said casing and the duct or ducts formed by the hole or holes through the discs or plates beingconnected Vto the outlet or. inlet. The strainer may be mounted on an end closure for the casing and be removable therewith. According to a further modification of the invention,.a plurality of strainers is arranged end to end or in line within the casing, the carriers for the discs 0r plates and the scraper blades being common to the several strainers, the adjacentends of the strainers being separatedor not from one another;

In order that the invention maybe clearly and readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings on which several embodiments are illustrated Fig. 1 is a view, the lower portion of which is in plan and the upper portion in horizontal section, of one embodiment;

direction ot the'arrow fX Fig. 1, and the right hand portion a vertical sectionon the line A-'B Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 a detail view in perspective showing the mode of mounting the strainer discs or plates and the scraper blades onV their carriers; f

lF ig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1 of an other embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view with the scraper' blades and the carriers for the discs or plates and scraper blades omitted, illustrating yan arrangement ot` strainers in series: Y

F ig. (3 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation ot" a third embodiment, and

Fig. 7 a horizontal section on the line C-D ot' Fig. 6. A

Fig. S isa view showing a modified form of scraper blades combined with a carrier.

.Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 1 is a casing within which four strainers arranged in two sets are mounted. Each set lcomprises two strainers disposed end to end Fig. 2 being a view in which the left hand'y portion is m end elevation looking 1n the I through the strainer.

cent and partly encircled by the said wall it is provided with an orifice or with orifices 5. The lower portion of the casing 'constitutes a sump 6 and is provided with a drain connection 7. Hand holes may be provided for the removal of matter that fails to pass The casing 1 has an opening in each of its 'end walls opposite each set of strainer-s, the openings in one end wall being closed by closures 8 and in the other end wall by closures 9. The closures 8', 9 are removably secured in position and. each is provided with al duct or ducts eX- tending from its inner face to a groove 10 .in a peripheral portion by which, when the closure is in position, connection is made wit-l1 the outlet 3 through a duct 11 constistuted in the casing' 1.

One set of strainers and the mode of mounting and assembling the constituent parts will now be described the construction, mounting and assembling of the other set of strainers being identical.

12 is a sha-ft rotatably mounted in the closures 8, 9. It is removably secured in the f closure 9 by a nut 13 and when so secured 'is prevented from endwise movement by a shoulder abutting against the inner face of the closure 9. The extreme outer end of the shaft 12 mounted in the closure 8 is of a section other than circular. as is the portion of the shaft between the inner faces of the closures. Mounted .on the outer face of the closure 8 in line with the shaft 12 is a bearingr 14 for a shaft 15. The shaft 15 is. from its inner end, hollow for a portion of its length and at its outer end is provided with. or adapted for the reception of, means by whichit may be rotated. The closure 8 is adapted to receive the inner end of the shaft 15 which internally 'is of a section to engage the outer end of the shaft 12. The two shafts 12, 15 are thus coupled together and when rotary motion is imparted to the shaft 15 the shaft 12 is moved correspondingly. The shaft 12 serves to carry the two strainers constituting a set. Each strainer comprises a plurality of dises 17, each having' a plurality of holes or openings therethrough, namely, a centrally disposed hole 18 of `a section and size similar to that of the A shaft 12, and by which it is mounted thereon vare passed through the holes 20 and constitute carriers for the discs 17. The rods 21 also carry washers 22 which are employed to separate adjacent discs so that a slot is formed therebetween, the width of which is dependent on the thickness of the washers 22. The rods 2l pertaining to one strainer are mounted on their one ends in a carrier 23, which is, itself, mounted on the shaft 1.2 so as to rotate therewith and at their other ends enter a circular groove 24 formed in the inner face ofthe closure 8 or 9. As many discs 17 and washers 22 are placed on the shaft 12 and rods 21 as are necessary to produce a strainer of the desired area. The two strainers mounted on the shaft 12 are pressed apart and into contact with the inner faces of the closures 8, 9 by a spring 25 that encircles the shaft 12 and is positioned between, and bears at its end on, the carriers 23. 26 are rods of a section other than circular, three are shown, which extend the length of the casing 1 and are mounted at their one ends in the closure l) and at their other ends enter` holes in the closure 8. The rods 2G constitute carriers for the scraper blades 28, each of which is formed of a piece of metal having a hole therethrough of a shape to permit it'to be mounted on, and prevented from movement relatively to, the rod 26. There are as many scraper blades 28 on each rod 2G as there are slots formed by and between discs 17 and the scraper blades are positioned on the rods so that each enters a slot formed by and between adjacent discs 17. The scraper .blades 28 are each of a thickness substancepted by the. edges of the discs away from the strainer.

The ducts 19 are each in communication..

with the slots formed by and between adjacent discs 17 and at one e-nd with the groove 10 in the closure -8 or 9.

In operation, the lfluid to be strained passes into the easing-through the inlet 2, thence radially between the discs 17- to `the ducts 19 and away through the grooves 10 and ducts 11 to the outlet 3, any dirt, fluff, suspended or other matter contained in the fluid being intercepted by theI edges of the discs 17 which, in course of time, become coated as in the Case of gauze. To clean the strainer, the shaft 12 is rotated through the shaft 15, whereby the discs 17 are moved in relation to the scraper blades 28. The action of the-scraper blades 28 is to remove any intercepted matter from the entrances to the slots and 'carry it clear of the strainer face, whence it falls into the sump 6 and is removed either through the drain connection 7 or the hand holes.

With the construction described 4the two strainers mounted on the shafty 12 may be scraper blades 28 endwise, from the casing.

Alternatively, by mounting the rods 26l in the closure 8 and omitting the nut 13, the two strainers mounted on a shaft 12 may be withdrawn as an entity by removal of the means securing the closure 8 in position and the withdrawal of, such closure, together the parts (shaft 12, rods 26) mounted thereon and carrying the discs 17 and scraper blades 28 endwise, from the casing.

It is often necessary to provide additional means for supporting and guiding the strainers when being inserted into, or withdrawn from, the casing 1 .and these means conveniently are in the form of rings The rings 30 are spaced apart along the strainer. Three such rings 30 are shown in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, one encircling each carrier l23 and one being placed in contact with' the outer face of the disc 17 adjacent the closure 8. Each ring 30 has two cut-away portions 31 diametrical- 1y disposed. The rings 30 are mounted on rails 32 and engage therewith by means of the cut-away portions' 31. The` rails 32 are mounted at their ends within the casing 1 as shown .at 32:1 and form an additional support'for the strainers and also serve as guides for'the strainers when being moved into or out of the. casing 1. The rings-30 are formed with holes through which the rods 26 extend.

'In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4,k

a modified method of mounting the rods 21 is shown.' In this embodiment, the spring 25 is dispensed with and the rods 21 pertaining to the right hand strainer arey xedly mounted i at their one ends in a carrier 33 and at their other ends enter holes in a carrier 23 that is disposed between the two strainers and scrves'also as amounting 'for the one end of the rods .21l of the left hand strainer, the other end of which rods enter holes in a casing 29 which is asliding lit in a recess in the closure 8. The casting 29 is mounted on the shafti 12 so as to rotate therewith and is also made with openings therethrough for connection of the' ducts 19 withlthe groove 1Q. The casting 29Iis provided for .the purpose of compensating for contraction or expansion of the discsm use. The ring V30 of the left hand strainer adjacent the closure 8 is mounted on the casting 29gand is prevented* from endwise movement by vwhich. passes 'through the cover being pins 32" which pass through' the rods 26., lVhen the casting 29 is not used the rods 21 may enter annular grooves in the closure 8 ence to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and to Fig. 4,

in which two sets ofstrainers, each set comprising two strainers placed Vend to end are mounted in a common casing side by side and parallel 'to one another, many modifieations may be made without departing from the invention. For example, only one strainer may be employed, or if desired, more than two strainers may be mounted in line.

In the strainer illustrated in Fig. 5, there is employed a plurality of strainers mounted end to end in a casingl closed at its ends by closures 8, 9 and divided into a plurality ofcompartments 34, 35, 36, by divisions 3l 38 each division having a central hole' 39, 40 respectively, in which is mounted an obturator 41, 42 respectively, having ducts 43, 44 rspctively therethrough. The strainers A are mountedin the compartments 5 34, 35, 36 respectively, the strainer A being contained between the closure 9 and obturator 41.A lThe duct-s 19 in th'e strainer A are in communication through the ducts 43 with the compartment`35. Similarly, the ducts 19 in the strainer B are in communication through the ducts 44 with the compartment 36 and the ducts 19 in the strainer C with the outlet 3. The fluidy to be filtered passes through the strainers A, B, C in series. In such apparatus, the eoarseness of the strainers may vary, thus, the strainer. A may have coarse straining slots, the intermediate strainer B yiner slots, andthe third and last strainer C the finest slots. l Further, the strainer or strainers may be mounted in a easing in a vertical position and in the smaller'sizes of vertical strainersl it is not necessary to provide a bearing for A the inner end of the shaft 12 or the 'rods 26 carrying the scraper blades. Such an embodiment isillustratedin Figs. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the discs 17 have ducts 19 therethrough as already described and v are mounted on the shaft 12 in a manner somewhat analogous to the arrangement 'described with reference to Figs. '1, 2 and-3.

The scraper blades 28 are disposed on their `holes thro-ugh which the rods 26 pass. The

strainer is mounted on a cover46 having an inlet 2 and an outlet 3, t-he casing 1 being screwed into the cover 46` and the shaft 12 I provided er'teriorly thereof with ahandle 47 by means of which the discs may be rotated relatively to the scraper blades. The operation of this strainer is as described with reference to the strainer illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the arrows indicating the flow of liquid. By making the washers 22 which, in this construction, are threaded on the shaft 12 and the scraper blades 28 ot thin metal, for example, one thousandth of an inch in thickness, the strainer is suitable `for straining liquids, such as petrol.

Instead of the scraper blades28 projectf ing inward lradially from a ring'- 45 as describedwith reference to Figs. 6 and 7, they may be constituted on outward radial projections or arms from a ring 45:L as shown in Fig. 8. The ring 45a is mounted on the shaft 12 and its internal diameter is such as to permit of movement of the shaft- 12 relatively therethrough, the outer ends of the radial projections or arms each having a hole therethrough to receive a rod 26.

Further, in lieu of employing washers 22 separate from the discs, the dises may be spaced apart by, means of proj eetions formed Such inthe metal of the dises by' pressure. projections may surround either the central shaft 12 or the rods 2G as is found expedient.

Itis also to be understood that in 'a strainer in accordanceA with this invention, the scraper blades may be constituted by wire extending across the casing 1 and passing Athrough the slots; the wire may be in the form of a moreor less flattened loop mounted on lopposite sides of the discs 17 on rods or otherwise.

A strainer according to the present invention is applicable for straining either liquids or gases;y

lVhat I claim is 1. A strainer for fluid comprising a straining wall-consisting of a plurality oi plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place and scraper blades separate from the discs, extending inwardly through said slots and each permanently engaging a slot, said dises and scraper blades being relatively movable.

2. A strainer for liuid comprising a straining wall consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators separate from the dises disposed between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place and scraper blades @parate from the discs, extending inwardly through said slot-s and mounted on a carrier and each permanently engaging a slot, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable.

3. Astrainer for fluid comprising a straining wall consisting of'a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a shaft that extends centrally therethrough, and each having a hole therethrough, separators disposed between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place andmounted on a rod external to the straining wall and each permanentlyv engaging a slot,

said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable.

5. A strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening t'or the fluid, a straining wall mounted therein consisting of a plurality of plane discsmounted side by side on a carrier' and each having a hole therethrough, sepa rators between adjacentdises to space them apart and form endless peri iheral slots through which straining takes p ace, scraper blades separate from the discs, Aextending inwardly 'through said slots and each permanently engaging a slot, said dises and scraper blades being relatively movable, and the duct formed by the holes through the discs inv connection with an opening in the casing.

6. A strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outletopening for fluid, a straining wall mounted therein consisting ofa plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjaeent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duet formed by the holes through the dises in connection with an opening in the casing, an opening in the end wall ofthe casing-opposite the end of the straining wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining wall and scraper blade carriers are mounted.

7. A strainer for lluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid, a straining wall mounted therein consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a shaft that extends centrally therethrough and each having a hole therethrough, rods that pass llO - openingJfor'fluid,a straining wallinounted therein consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a shaft that extendscentrally, ytherethrough and each havingl a hole therethrough, rods that ass through holes inthe discs adjacent t elr peripheries, Washers on said rods between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral 'slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades mounted on a rod external to t e straining wall, each permanentl engaging a slot, said discs and, scraper bla es being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connectiony With an opening 1n the casing, an open-ing in the end Wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining Wall and a closure for said opening in'which the shaft and rods carrying the 'Washersand the scraper blades arefmounted.

' 9, A strainer for, fiuid comprising a casing having an inletk opening and an outlet opening for- -Huid, a straining Wall mounted therein `consisting of la plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators A between adjacent'discstospace them apart and form endless peripheral Aslots through which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs inconnection With an opening in the casing, rods within the casing extendving longitudinally thereof, rings mounted on the straining Wall havi g cut-away portions to engage said rods, an opening in the end Wall of the-casing opposite the 'end of the straining Wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining Wall and scraper blade carriers are mounted.

10. A strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the fluid, a plurality of straining Walls mounted therein in line each consistingof a plurality of plane discs'mounted side by side on a com-mon carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to' spacey them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takesl place,

extending .in

wa'rdly through said slots and each permanently engaging a slot, said discs andv scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connection With an opening in the casing.

114A strainer for' fluid comprising arcasing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid, a plurality of straining walls mounted therein in line each -consisting of a plurality 'of plane discs mounted side by side on a common carrien and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, -scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot, said discs and scraper blades being -relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connection With an opening in the casing, an opening in the end Wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining Wall and a closure .for said opening in which the y .straining Wall and are mounted.

12. A strainer for fluid comprising a casing Ahaving an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid, ,a plurality of straining Walls mounted therein in line each consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a common carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connection with an opening in the casing, rods Within v,the casing extending scraper blade carriers longitudinally thereof, ...rings mounted on` the straining Walls having cut-away portions to engage .said rods, an opening in-the end Wall of' the casing opposite the end of the straining wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining Wall and scraper blade carriers are mountedi 13. A strainer for fluid comprising a castween adjacent discs to. space them apart and formfendless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades each' permanently engaging a slot, `said discs and scraper blades being relatively a common carrier for the scraper blades of all the straining Walls, the ducts formed by the holes through t-he discs of one strain. ing Wall in connection with an opening in movable,

the casing and the ducts formed by holes in the discs of other straining walls connected to the next succeeding compartment by ducts in the division walls, an opening in the end wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining wall and scraper blade carriers are mounted.

14. A strainer for fluid comprising a straining wall consisting ot a plurality of plane discs mounted side -bv side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place and scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges inclined to the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper-blades being relatively movable.

15. A strainer for fluid comprising a straining wall consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a shaft that extends centrally therethrough, rods that pass through holes in the discs adjacent their peripheries, washers on said rods between adjac'ent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, and scraper blades mounted on arod external tou-the straining wall each permanently engaging a slot, and having their operative edges inclined to the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable.

16. A strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the fluid, a straining wall mounted therein consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straininV takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges inclined to the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connection with an openin in the casing. v

-17 strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for fluid, a straining Wall-mounted therein consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots .through which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges inclined to the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and'the duct formed by. the holes through the discs in connection with an opening in the casing, an

therein consisting of a plurality ofplane discs mounted side by side on a shaft thatl extends centrally therethrough and each having a hole therethrough, rods that pass through holes in the discs adjacent their peripherics, washers on said rods between adjacent discs to space them apart andform endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades mounted on a rod external to the straining wall each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges inclined to the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes through the discs in connection with an opening in the casing, an opening in the end wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining wall and a closure for said opening in which the shatt and rods carrying the washers and the scraper blades are mounted.

l0. A strainer 'for fluid con'iprising a casing having an inlet'opening and an outlet opening lor the fluid, a straining wall mounted therein consisting of a plurality ot plane discs mounted side by side on a carrier and each having a hole therethrough, separatorsbetween adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges i-nclined to the peripheries olf' the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable and the duct formed by the holes throughthe discs in connectionv with an opening in the casing, rods within the casing extending longitudinally thereof, rings mounted on the straining wall and having cut away portions to engage said rods, an opening in the end Wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining Wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining wall and scraper blade carriers are mounted.

20.` A strainer for fluid comprising a casing having an inlet opening and 'an outlet opening for fluid and divided longitudinally into a plurality of compartments, a straining wall mounted in each compartment each consisting of a plurality of plane discs mounted side by side, each having a hole therethrough, a common carrier for the discs of all the straining walls, separators between adjacent discs to space them apart and form endless peripheral slots through `which straining takes place, scraper blades each permanently engaging a slot and having their operative edges inclined '-o the peripheries of the discs, said discs and scraper blades being relatively movable, a common carrier for the scraper blades of all the strainthrough the discs of one straining Wall in connection with an opening in the casing and the ducts formed by holes in the discs of other straining Walls connected to the next mg Walls, the ducts formed by the holes' succeeding compartment by ducts in the division Walls, an opening inthe end Wall of the casing opposite the end of the straining wall and a closure for said opening in which the straining Wall and scraper blade carriers lare mounted.

Dated this seventh day of November, 1923.

F. C. FULCHER. 

